Ryan Martin argued that the church is not merely the result of God’s redemptive plan but an active, contributing part of it: Christians are called to move beyond treating their faith as a personal, private matter and instead embrace their identity as chosen ambassadors of Christ. He suggested the church is committed, chosen, cultivated, and commissioned to make disciples of Jesus (not of each other or ourselves), letting scripture shape us more than comfort or social approval.

Bible verses:

• Matthew 16:15–19 (Peter’s confession; “on this rock I will build my church”)
• John 3:36 (belief and obedience; wrath on those who reject the Son)
• Ephesians 2:8–10 (saved by grace through faith; created for good works)
• Titus 1:10–16 (those who profess God but deny him by their works)
• Galatians 2:11–14 (Peter’s hypocrisy with Jewish believers)
• Ephesians 4:22–24 (putting off the old self, renewed in the spirit)
• Ephesians 1:19–23 (the immeasurable greatness of God’s power; Christ as head over the church)
• Matthew 28:18–20 (the Great Commission)
• Ephesians 2:19–20 (fellow citizens, built on the foundation of apostles and prophets)
• 1 Peter 2:4–5 (living stones built into a spiritual house)
• Ephesians 3:14–21 (Paul’s prayer for the church; doxology)